Australian Parents and Religious Sect Members Guilty of Manslaughter in Child's Death

Timothy Malcolm Rowland, a 40-year-old man diagnosed with "sexsomnia," was acquitted of raping a woman in his Sydney apartment in August 2022. Rowland had claimed that he was experiencing a medical episode characterized by sexual behavior during sleep at the time of the incident. The jury reached the not guilty verdict after a seven-day trial, during which Judge John Pickering emphasized that the court should not determine criminal liability based on actions performed while unconscious. The case stemmed from an evening where Rowland and the woman spent time together before returning to his apartment. Following their night out, the woman fell asleep in Rowland's bed, and she alleged that she awoke to find him engaging in sexual activity without her consent. While the woman's sleep was undisputed, the central issue for the jury was whether Rowland was genuinely unaware of his actions due to his condition at the time. Judge Pickering cautioned the jurors against creating laws regarding unconscious actions and urged them to focus solely on the evidence presented in court.

The Queensland government has announced a ban on puberty blockers for new patients at the state's only gender clinic, a move criticized as "discriminatory" by LGBTQI advocates and health officials. Anna Cody, Australia's sex discrimination commissioner, warned that the decision could harm the physical and mental wellbeing of children seeking gender-affirming care, stating it may create trauma for those awaiting treatment. Health Minister Tim Nicholls explained that the ban will remain until an independent review of puberty blockers and hormone therapy is completed, prompted by concerns over inadequate medical support at the Cairns Sexual Health Service. The local health authority confirmed an internal review identified "process issues" but found no evidence of patient harm. Rachel Hines, CEO of Open Doors Youth Service, echoed concerns, highlighting that the ban disproportionately affects trans youth who require life-saving medication. Although children can still receive puberty blockers for other medical conditions, approximately 491 individuals on the waiting list for gender dysphoria treatment may face significant delays. The Australian Human Rights Commission is expected to engage with the state government regarding these concerns.

The Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), which includes major facilities like the Royal Prince Alfred and Concord hospitals, has reported that over 50% of its staff psychiatrists have resigned, as revealed in leaked internal documents. The documents indicate that this mass resignation could compromise the district's ability to provide safe and effective mental health services, according to a risk assessment tool dated January 17. While SLHD plans to maintain existing services without closing beds, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of staff coverage. According to an anonymous psychiatrist who spoke to The Guardian, relying on allied health and nursing staff to fill the gaps left by departing psychiatrists may not be safe, as these roles require different expertise. The general secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, Shaye Candish, echoed concerns about nurses taking on additional workloads without proper consultation or support. Dr. Jackie Huber from the Australia and New Zealand Emergency Psychiatry Network warned that the ongoing psychiatrist shortages could exacerbate lengthy stays in emergency departments for psychiatric patients, leading to potentially severe consequences in mental health care.